Burton Albion V Cheltenham at Pirelli Stadium : Match Preview

10 January 2014 03:01

Michael Symes is a doubt for Burton's home game against Cheltenham but Brewers boss Gary Rowett should see his squad boosted by the return of three other players.

Symes is nursing a knee injury and the striker will be assessed ahead of kick-off on Saturday. Should he not be fit he will join defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, who is out until February after suffering a fractured cheekbone, on the sidelines.

Goalkeeper Dean Lyness (hip), defender Damien McCrory (hamstring) and midfielder Lee Bell (hamstring) are all expected to be available, having been doubts for last weekend's postponed FA Cup tie at Bournemouth.

Defender Adam Buxton and winger Zeli Ismail have this week arrived on one-month loan deals while striker Rene Howe has left the club to join Burton's League Two rivals Newport.

Cheltenham will include Zack Kotwica in their squad after the winger returned from a loan spell.

The 17-year-old spent a month with Gloucester City, making six appearances, and could fill the gap left on the bench by Toby Ajala who returned to Bristol City at the end of his loan spell having failed to make a first-team appearance.

Shrewsbury loanee Connor Goldson returned to his parent club on Thursday afternoon having been recalled so Steve Elliott is likely to return to the starting XI following his recovery from an ankle injury.

Long-serving midfielder Russ Penn moved to York earlier this week but Kemar Roofe has extended his loan stay from West Brom.